Commentaries For 1 Timothy 4

Of departures from the faith that began already to appear. (1-5) Several directions, with motives for due discharge of duties. (6-16)

Verses 1-5 The Holy Spirit, both in the Old and the New Testament, spoke of a general turning from the faith of Christ, and the pure worship of God. This should come during the Christian dispensation, for those are called the latter days. False teachers forbid as evil what God has allowed, and command as a duty what he has left indifferent. We find exercise for watchfulness and self-denial, in attending to the requirements of God's law, without being tasked to imaginary duties, which reject what he has allowed. But nothing justifies an intemperate or improper use of things; and nothing will be good to us, unless we seek by prayer for the Lord's blessing upon it.

Verses 6-10 Outward acts of self-denial profit little. What will it avail us to mortify the body, if we do not mortify sin? No diligence in mere outward things could be of much use. The gain of godliness lies much in the promise; and the promises to godly people relate partly to the life that now is, but especially to the life which is to come: though we lose for Christ, we shall not lose by him. If Christ be thus the Saviour of all men, then much more will he be the Rewarder of those who seek and serve him; he will provide well for those whom he has made new creatures.

Verses 11-16 Men's youth will not be despised, if they keep from vanities and follies. Those who teach by their doctrine, must teach by their life. Their discourse must be edifying; their conversation must be holy; they must be examples of love to God and all good men, examples of spiritual-mindedness. Ministers must mind these things as their principal work and business. By this means their profiting will appear in all things, as well as to all persons; this is the way to profit in knowledge and grace, and also to profit others. The doctrine of a minister of Christ must be scriptural, clear, evangelical, and practical; well stated, explained, defended, and applied. But these duties leave no leisure for wordly pleasures, trifling visits, or idle conversation, and but little for what is mere amusement, and only ornamental. May every believer be enabled to let his profiting appear unto all men; seeking to experience the power of the gospel in his own soul, and to bring forth its fruits in his life.

1. Now--Greek, "But." In contrast to the "mystery of godliness." the Spirit--speaking by the prophets in the Church (whose prophecies rested on those of the Old Testament, Daniel 7:25 , 8:23 , &c. Daniel 11:30 , as also on those of Jesus in the New Testament, Matthew 24:11-24 ), and also by Paul himself, 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (with whom accord 2 Peter 3:3 , 1 John 2:18 , Jude 1:18 ). expressly--"in plain words." This shows that he refers to prophecies of the Spirit then lying before him. in the latter times--in the times following upon the times in which he is now writing. Not some remote future, but times immediately subsequent, the beginnings of the apostasy being already discernible ( Acts 20:29 ): these are the forerunners of "the last days" ( 2 Timothy 3:1 ). depart from the faith--The apostasy was to be within the Church, the faithful one becoming the harlot. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (written earlier), the apostasy of the Jews from God (joining the heathen against Christianity) is the groundwork on which the prophecy rises; whereas here, in the Pastoral Epistles, the prophecy is connected with Gnostic errors, the seeds of which had already been sown in the Church [AUBERLEN] ( 2 Timothy 2:18 ). Apollonius Tyanæus, a heretic, came to Ephesus in the lifetime of Timothy. giving heed--( 1 Timothy 1:4 , Titus 1:14 ). seducing spirits--working in the heretical teachers. 1 John 4:21 John 4:31 John 4:6 , "the spirit of error," opposed to "the spirit of truth," "the Spirit" which "speaketh" in the true prophets against them. doctrines of devils--literally "teachings of (that is suggested by) demons." James 3:15 , "wisdom . . . devilish"; 2 Corinthians 11:15 , "Satan's ministers."

2. Rather translate, "Through (literally, 'in'; the element in which the apostasy has place) the hypocrisy of lying speakers"; this expresses the means through which "some shall (be led to) depart from the faith," namely, the reigned sanctity of the seducers (compare "deceivers," Titus 1:10 ). having their conscience seared--Greek, "having their own conscience," &c., that is, not only "speaking lies" to others, but also having their own conscience seared. Professing to lead others to holiness, their own conscience is all the while defiled. Bad consciences always have recourse to hypocrisy. As faith and a good conscience are joined ( 1 Timothy 1:5 ); so hypocrisy (that is, unbelief,Matthew 24:5Matthew 24:51 ; compare Luke 12:46 ) and a bad conscience here. THEODORET explains like English Version, "seared," as implying their extreme insensibility; the effect of cauterizing being to deaden sensation. The Greek, however, primarily means "branded" with the consciousness of crimes committed against their better knowledge and conscience, like so many scars burnt in by a branding iron: Compare Titus 1:15 , 3:11 , "condemned of himself." They are conscious of the brand within, and yet with a hypocritical show of sanctity, they strive to seduce others. As "a seal" is used in a good sense ( 2 Timothy 2:19 ), so "a brand" in a bad sense. The image is taken from the branding of criminals.

3. Sensuality leads to false spiritualism. Their own inward impurity is reflected in their eyes in the world without them, and hence their asceticism ( Titus 1:14Titus 1:15 ) [WIESINGER]. By a spurious spiritualism ( 2 Timothy 2:18 ), which made moral perfection consist in abstinence from outward things, they pretended to attain to a higher perfection. Matthew 19:10-12 (compare 1 Corinthians 7:81 Corinthians 7:261 Corinthians 7:38 ) gave a seeming handle to their "forbidding marriage" (contrast 1 Timothy 5:14 ); and the Old Testament distinction as to clean and unclean, gave a pretext for teaching to "abstain from meats" (compare Colossians 2:16Colossians 2:17Colossians 2:20-23 ). As these Judaizing Gnostics combined the harlot or apostate Old Testament Church with the beast ( Revelation 17:3 ), or Gnostic spiritualizing anti-Christianity, so Rome's Judaizing elements ( 1 Timothy 4:3 ) shall ultimately be combined with the open worldly-wise anti-Christianity of the false prophet or beast ( 1 Timothy 6:201 Timothy 6:21Colossians 2:81 John 4:1-3Revelation 13:12-15 ). Austerity gained for them a show of sanctity while preaching false doctrine ( Colossians 2:23 ). EUSEBIUS [Ecclesiastical History, 4.29] quotes from IRENÆUS [1.28] a statement that Saturninus, Marcion, and the Encratites preached abstinence from marriage and animal meats. Paul prophetically warns against such notions, the seeds of which already were being sown ( 1 Timothy 6:20 , 2 Timothy 2:172 Timothy 2:18 ). to be received--Greek, "to be partaken of." of them--literally, (created and designed) "for them," Though all (even the unbelieving, Psalms 104:14 , Matthew 5:45 ) are partakers in these foods created by God, "they which believe" alone fulfil God's design in creation by partaking of them with thanksgiving; as opposed to those who abstain from them, or in partaking of them, do not do so with thanksgiving. The unbelieving have not the designed use of such foods by reason of their "conscience being defiled" ( Titus 1:15 ). The children of God alone "inherit the earth"; for obedience is the necessary qualification (as it was in the original grant of the earth to Adam), which they alone possess. and know the truth--explanatory and defining who are "they which believe." Translate as Greek, "and have full knowledge of the he contradicts the assumption of superior knowledge and higher moral perfection, put forward by the heretics, on the ground of their abstinence from marriage and meats. "The truth" stands in opposition to their "lies" ( 1 Timothy 4:2 ).

4, 5. Translate as Greek, "Because" (expressing a reason resting on an objective fact; or, as here, a Scripture quotation)--"For" (a reason resting on something subjective in the writer's mind). every creature . . . good--( Genesis 1:31 , Romans 14:14Romans 14:20 ). A refutation by anticipation of the Gnostic opposition to creation: the seeds of which were now lurking latently in the Church. Judaism ( Acts 10:11-161 Corinthians 10:251 Corinthians 10:26 ) was the starting-point of the error as to meats: Oriental Gnosis added new elements. The old Gnostic heresy is now almost extinct; but its remains in the celibacy of Rome's priesthood, and in its fasts from animal meats, enjoined under the penalty of mortal sin, remain. if . . . with thanksgiving--Meats, though pure in themselves, become impure by being received with an unthankful mind ( Romans 14:6 , Titus 1:15 ).

5. sanctified--"hallowed"; set apart as holy for the use of believing men: separated from "the creature," which is under the bondage of vanity and corruption ( Romans 8:19 , &c.). Just as in the Lord's Supper, the thanksgiving prayer sanctifies the elements, separating them from their naturally alien position in relation to the spiritual world, and transferring them to their true relation to the new life. So in every use of the creature, thanksgiving prayer has the same effect, and ought always to be used ( 1 Corinthians 10:301 Corinthians 10:31 ). by the word of God and prayer--that is, "by means of intercessory prayer" (so the Greek)--that is, consecratory prayer in behalf of "the creature" or food--that prayer mainly consisting of "the word of God." The Apostolic Constitutions [7.49], give this ancient grace, almost wholly consisting of Scripture, "Blessed art thou, O Lord, who feedest me from my youth, who givest food to all flesh: Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, that we, having all sufficiency, may abound unto every good work in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom glory, honour, and might, be to thee for ever. Amen." In the case of inspired men, "the word of God" would refer to their inspired prayers ( 1 Kings 17:1 ); but as Paul speaks in general, including uninspired men's thanksgiving for meals, the "word of God" more probably refers to the Scripture words used in thanksgiving prayers.

8. profiteth little--Greek, "profiteth to (but) a small extent." Paul does not deny that fasting and abstinence from conjugal intercourse for a time, with a view to reaching the inward man through the outward, do profit somewhat, Acts 13:3 , 1 Corinthians 7:51 Corinthians 7:7 , 1 Corinthians 9:261 Corinthians 9:27 (though in its degenerate form, asceticism, dwelling solely on what is outward, 1 Timothy 4:3 , is not only not profitable but injurious). Timothy seems to have had a leaning to such outward self-discipline (compare 1 Timothy 5:23 ). Paul, therefore, while not disapproving of this in its due proportion and place, shows the vast superiority of godliness or piety, as being profitable not merely "to a small extent," but unto all things; for, having its seat within, it extends thence to the whole outward life of a man. Not unto one portion only of his being, but to every portion of it, bodily and spiritual, temporal and eternal [ALFORD]. "He who has piety (which is 'profitable unto all things') wants nothing needed to his well-being, even though he be without those helps which, 'to a small extent,' bodily exercise furnishes" [CALVIN]. "Piety," which is the end for which thou art to "exercise thyself" ( 1 Timothy 4:7 ), is the essential thing: the means are secondary. having promise, &c.--Translate as Greek, "Having promise of life, that which now is, and that which is to come." "Life" in its truest and best sense now and hereafter ( 2 Timothy 1:1 ). Length of life now so far as it is really good for the believer; life in its truest enjoyments and employments now, and life blessed and eternal hereafter ( Matthew 6:33 , Mark 10:29Mark 10:30 ). "Now in this time" ( Psalms 84:11 , 112:1-10 , Romans 8:28 , 1 Corinthians 3:211 Corinthians 3:22 , "all things are yours . . . the world, life . . . things present, things to come"). Christianity, which seems to aim only at our happiness hereafter, effectually promotes it here ( 1 Timothy 6:6 , 2 Peter 1:3 ). Compare Solomon's prayer and the answer ( 1 Kings 3:7-13 ).

9. ( 1 Timothy 1:15 ). This verse (Greek), "faithful is the saying," &c. confirms the assertion as to the "promise" attached to "godliness," 1 Timothy 4:8 , and forms a prefatory introduction to 1 Timothy 4:10 , which is joined to 1 Timothy 4:9 by "For." So 2 Timothy 2:11 . Godly men seem to suffer loss as to this life: Paul hereby refutes the notion [BENGEL]. "God is the Saviour specially of those that believe" ( 1 Timothy 4:10 ), both as to "the life that now is," and also as to "the life which is to come" ( 1 Timothy 4:8 ).

10. therefore--Greek, "with a view to this." The reason why "we both ('both' is omitted in the oldest manuscripts) labor (endure hardship) and suffer reproach (some oldest manuscripts read 'strive') is because we have rested, and do rest our hope, on the living (and therefore, life-giving,1 Timothy 4:8 ) God." Saviour--even in this life ( 1 Timothy 4:8 ). specially of those that believe--Their "labor and reproach" are not inconsistent with their having from the living God, their Saviour, even the present life ( Mark 10:30 , "a hundred fold now in this time . . . with persecutions"), much more the life to come. If God is in a sense "Saviour" of unbelievers ( 1 Timothy 2:4 , that is, is willing to be so everlastingly, and is temporally here their Preserver and Benefactor), much more of believers. He is the Saviour of all men potentially ( 1 Timothy 1:15 ); of believers alone effectually.

11. These truths, to the exclusion of those useless and even injurious teachings ( 1 Timothy 4:1-8 ), while weighing well thyself, charge also upon others.

12. Let no man despise thy youth--Act so as to be respected in spite of thy youth ( 1 Corinthians 16:11 , Titus 2:15 ); compare "youthful" as to Timothy ( 2 Timothy 2:22 ). He was but a mere youth when he joined Paul ( Acts 16:1-3 ). Eleven years had elapsed since then to the time subsequent to Paul's first imprisonment. He was, therefore, still young; especially in comparison with Paul, whose place he was filling; also in relation to elderly presbyters whom he should "entreat as a father" ( 1 Timothy 5:1 ), and generally in respect to his duties in rebuking, exhorting, and ordaining ( 1 Timothy 3:1 ), which ordinarily accord best with an elderly person ( 1 Timothy 5:19 ). be thou an example--Greek, "become a pattern" ( Titus 2:7 ); the true way of making men not to despise (slight, or disregard) thy youth. in word--in all that thou sayest in public and private. conversation--that is, "behavior" the Old English sense of the word. in charity . . . faith--the two cardinal principles of the Christian ( Galatians 5:6 ). The oldest manuscripts omit, "in spirit." in purity--simplicity of holy motive followed out in consistency of holy action [ALFORD] ( 1 Timothy 5:22 , 2 Corinthians 6:6 , 3:17 , 4:8 , 1 Peter 1:22 ).

13. Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself ( 1 Timothy 1:3 , 3:14 ). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church ( Luke 4:16-20 , Acts 13:15 , 15:21 , 2 Corinthians 3:14 ). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church ( 1 Thessalonians 5:211 Thessalonians 5:27 , Colossians 4:16 ), [JUSTIN MARTYR, Apology, 1.67]. I think that while public reading is the prominent thought, the Spirit intended also to teach that Scripture reading in private should be "the fountain of all wisdom from which pastors ought to draw whatever they bring before their flock" [ALFORD]. exhortation--addressed to the feelings and will with a view to the regulation of the conduct. doctrine--Greek (ministerial), "teaching" or instruction. Addressed to the understanding, so as to impart knowledge ( 1 Timothy 6:2 , Romans 12:7Romans 12:8 ). Whether in public or private, exhortation and instruction should be based on Scripture reading.

14. Neglect not the gift--by letting it lie unused. In 2 Timothy 1:6 the gift is represented as a spark of the Spirit lying within him, and sure to smoulder by neglect, the stirring up or keeping in lively exercise of which depends on the will of him on whom it is bestowed ( Matthew 25:18Matthew 25:25Matthew 25:27Matthew 25:28 ). The charism or spiritual gift, is that of the Spirit which qualified him for "the work of an evangelist" ( Ephesians 4:11 , 2 Timothy 4:5 ), or perhaps the gift of discerning spirits, specially needed in his function of ordaining, as overseer [BISHOP HINDS]. given thee--by God ( 1 Corinthians 12:41 Corinthians 12:6 ). by prophecy--that is, by the Holy Spirit, at his general ordination, or else consecration, to the special see of Ephesus, speaking through the prophets God's will to give him the graces needed to qualify him for his work ( 1 Timothy 1:18 , Acts 13:1-3 ). with . . . laying on of . . . hands--So in Joshua's case ( Numbers 27:18-20 , Deuteronomy 34:9 ). The gift was connected with the symbolical act of laying on hands. But the Greek "with" implies that the presbyter's laying on hands was the mere accompaniment of the conferring of the gift. "By" ( 2 Timothy 1:6 ) implies that Paul's laying on his hands was the actual instrument of its being conferred. of the presbytery--In 2 Timothy 1:6 the apostle mentions only his own laying on of hands. But there his aim is to remind Timothy specially of the part he himself took in imparting to him the gift. Here he mentions the fact, quite consistent with the other, that the neighboring presbyters took part in the ordination or consecration, he, however, taking the foremost part. Paul, though having the general oversight of the elders everywhere, was an elder himself ( 1 Peter 5:1 , 2 John 1:1 ). The Jewish council was composed of the elders of the Church (the presbytery, Luke 22:66 , Acts 22:5 ), and a presiding rabbi; so the Christian Church was composed of apostles, elders, and a president ( Acts 15:16 ). As the president of the synagogue was of the same order as his presbyters, so the bishop was of the same order as his presbyters. At the ordination of the president of the synagogue there were always three presbyters present to lay on hands, so the early Church canons required three bishops to be present at the consecration of a bishop. As the president of the synagogue, so the bishop of the Church alone could ordain, he acting as the representative, and in the name of the whole presbytery [VITRINGA]. So, in the Anglican Church, the bishop ordains, the presbyters or priests present joining with him in laying on hands.

15. Meditate--Greek, "Meditate CAREFULLY upon" ( Psalms 1:2 , 119:15 ; compare "Isaac," Genesis 24:63 ). these things--( 1 Timothy 4:12-14 ). As food would not nourish without digestion, which assimilates the food to the substance of the body, so spiritual food, in order to benefit us, needs to be appropriated by prayerful meditation. give thyself wholly to--literally, "BE in these things"; let them engross thee wholly; be wholly absorbed in them. Entire self-dedication, as in other pursuits, so especially in religion, is the secret of proficiency. There are changes as to all other studies, fashionable to-day, out of fashion to-morrow; this study alone is never obsolete, and when made the all-engrossing aim sanctifies all other studies. The exercise of the ministry threatens the spirit of the ministry, unless it be sustained within. The minister must be first his own scholar before he can be another's teacher. profiting--Greek, "progress" towards perfection in the Christian life, and especially towards the fullest realization of the ideal of a Christian minister ( 1 Timothy 4:12 ). may appear to all--not for thy glory, but for the winning of souls ( Matthew 5:16 ).

16. Take heed--Give heed ( Acts 3:5 ). thyself, and . . . doctrine--"and unto thy teaching." The two requisites of a good pastor: His teaching will be of no avail unless his own life accord with it; and his own purity of life is not enough unless he be diligent in teaching [CALVIN]. This verse is a summary of 1 Timothy 4:12 . continue in them--( 2 Timothy 3:14 ). in doing this--not "by doing this," as though he could save himself by works. thou shalt . . . save thyself, and them that hear thee--( Ezekiel 33:9 , 5:20 ). In performing faithfully his duty to others, the minister is promoting his own salvation. Indeed he cannot "give heed unto the teaching" of others, unless he be at the same time "giving heed unto himself."